Apr 3 Weirds - Swarmculture

Leeds psych rockers take us on a journey through Bat Country

Words: Mick Birchall

From the moment I put this record on I knew this Leeds four piece psychedelic rock band we're going to take me for a little bit of a ride. The band have an interesting sound that really sets them apart from a lot of their contemporaries, focusing on creating a fantastical atmosphere for the listener to truly lose themselves in. Now armed with this debut album, Swarmculture they are set to take over the alternative and the avant garde, with music that Hunter S. Thompson would say is too much.

The album itself is one of those out there experiences filled to the brim with strange sounds and hazy over the top production. This is combined with a loud and enriched rock tone. The musicianship is excellent and matches the overall tone of the album, taking the loser elements of stoner rock and applying them to the more mainstream and audience pleasing sound of electro-indie rock.

Creating a dynamic and creative sound, the vocals are well integrated as well. Even though they are completely processed, with distortion filters, the pureness of the vocal performance still comes through on the album. It takes a lot from the alternative and applies mainstream pop rules to it. Whether it will capture the attention they want is another question, however, I feel it works for what it is. If you allow yourself to let the music in, it serves it’s purpose well.

The raw psychedelic feel is fascinating in itself. With well put together grooves and riffs that are really ear wormy, reminiscent of the cult rock of the 60’s & 70’s. I like the themes they ride here. Themes of modern day culture and the mentality of the everyday person. Capturing the essence of society by subverting the expectation of both mainstream and alternative rock making so that a fan listening from either side has to experience something a little different to understand the full picture.

It’s actually genius in it’s execution. I have to say I am impressed and very happy with the end product of Swarmculture. An album with a new sound even through the borrowing of old ideas and making them fresh. A lot of the songs are worth listening to again and again.